Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
August 17, 2020 7:15 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council Members Yukari Day, Judy DiBenedetto, Innes Kasanof, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield. Absent: Councilman Alan Reynolds.

Call to Order at 7:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the July 20, 2020 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Highway Department has finished putting down stone and oil on town roads. Highway Superintendent Bouton will try to get a definitive answer from the State on CHIPS reimbursement to the Town, he will also work with Finance Chair Innes Kasanof this week to finalize the amount of money spent on road repair and maintenance for reimbursement purposes. (B)TheTown has been hauling stone for the Town of Middletown, part of a reciprocal agreement, in exchange for brush trimming work performed by the Middletown Highway Department on Halcott roads. (C) Road improvements are ongoing on Townsend Hollow Rd. The removal of additional trees is necessary to widen the road, and an improved turn around is in the works to help facilitate the snow plowing done for Halcott by the Town of Middletown. (D)Greene County has been out of Halcott, taking care of complaints elsewhere in the County. While they are still short of help, they have plans to be back in Town mowing this week and will help mow town roads as well.

Voucher vote: (A) General Abstract #G0820 – vouchers #119 – 123 = $2,171.71. Highway Abstract #H0820 – vouchers #124 – 129 = $8,148.82. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presently the July 2020 monthly finance report. (B)The 2021 Tentative Budget will be presented to the Board at the September Regular Town Board meeting. With state finances questionable going forward into next year due to COVID-19, the Board will work towards trying to keep a flat budget increase for 2021. (C ) The new fire budget has not yet been presented to the Town Board. The Town would like to have a more formal fire budget discussion than has occurred in previous years, and would also like to discuss having the ability to vote on capital purchases for the fire department with an amount over $10,000.00.

Clerk’s Report: Building Permit: 1 @ $50.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search: 5 $ $25.00 each, Billy Haynes (Aug.-Oct.): $600.00, Transfer Station(garbage) money: $339.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,114.00 for the month of July.

Other Business: (A) There has been an issue with hikers parking cars at the end of Johnson Hollow road, blocking the road and additionally, access to the truck turn around creating a dangerous situation should an emergency arise. The Town will look to see if there is state owned land on County Route 3 where a safer parking area could be created for day hikers looking to access state land.(B) Community Bank will be closing the Fleischmanns branch in November. Due to this decision, the Town will close out any remaining accounts at Community Bank and exclusively use the Bank of Greene County.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting: September 21, 2020, 7:15 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:18 pm by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
July 20, 2020 7:15 pm
Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council Members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Planning Board Chairwoman Nancy Reynolds.
Absent: Councilwoman Innes Kasanof.

Call to Order at 7:20 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the June 15, 2020 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Planning Board Report: Planning Board Chair Nancy Reynolds presented the 2019 annual report. 2019 was a slow year for the Planning Board with just 1-modular home replacement, 1-boundary line adjustment and 1-new home application which was turned over to the Zoning Board. There has been a substantial increase in people interested in buying property locally. Looking to the future, the Planning Board will set the tone for development and growth in Halcott. The Planning Board would like to add an additional alternate to the board and is looking to have a list of 2 or 3 names to give the Town Board for discussion and review before someone is chosen for appointment.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Highway Department will stone and oil town roads this week and continue working to improve Townsend Hollow Rd.(B) The Greene County Highway Department has been working on County Route 3 with culvert replacements, shoulder work and brush cutting being done. Brush work will begin on County Route 1 as well. A lack of manpower has slowed the amount of progress being made. (C) The Mack truck had a valve adjustment done and the roller will be gone over to identify what seems to be an electrical problem. (D) The Greene County highway department’s excavator was struck by a hit and run driver which did cause damage. The Sheriff’s Department of Greene County is investigating.

Voucher vote: (A) General Abstract #G0720 – vouchers #99 – 106 = $1,710.52. Highway Abstract #H0720 – vouchers #107 – 118 = $10,611.16. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Supervisor Alan White presented the monthly finance report.

Clerk’s Report: Grange Rental: 1 @ $100.00, Building Permits: 1@ $200.00, BP Renewal:1 @ $200.00, Demo Permit: 1 @ $100.00, Garbage Money (Transfer Station): $364.00 (May). Dog License: 1 (unneutered) @ $10.00. The Town collected and disbursed $974.00 for the month of June.

Other Business: (A) Supervisor White informed the Board that the Halcott Transfer Station is being used by non-residents which is a twofold problem. First, the transfer station is subsidized by town tax dollars and second, Greene County would not be appreciative of Halcott accepting out of county garbage. Motion to set policy limiting the use of the Town Transfer Station to Town of Halcott residents only by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. The Town will look to have signage made stating the Transfer Station is for use by Halcott residents only and Solid Waste Coordinator Kip
Johnson will begin turning away non-residents. (B) The fee for commercial haulers who use the transfer station for the disposal of the garbage of Halcott residents will increase to $200.00 a month.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting: August 17, 2020, 7:15 pm.
Motion to Adjourn at 7:47 pm by Councilwoman Yukari Day: 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.